Who can enter

Apprentice and junior chefs, who are:

• Australian or New Zealand residents
• Aged from 16 and under 25 years on 30th December 2021
• Currently or recently employed (last 12 months) in the culinary industry (chef, cook, apprentice, culinary student)

Key Dates

29th March–21st May: Online Entry Open

21st May: Video Submissions Close

31st May: Round 1 Qualifiers and Round 1 Video Category Winners announced

June-July: Round 2 Regional and metro cook offs

June: Round 2 Regional and Metro cook off winners announced within 1 week of relevant cook-off

4th - 9th September: Round 3 Grand Final Cook offs

8th September: Industry Awards Night

How to enter

The 2021 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award is now officially open and entering couldn’t be easier.

Complete and submit the REGISTRATION FORM (takes 5 mins). You’ll then be directed to a page that will confirm your successful registration.

YOU HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY 21st MAY (11.59pm AEST) TO COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION FORM.

It’s no longer a mandatory requirement to submit a 3-minute video. However, if you do choose to submit a video, you can be in the running to win 1 of 6 $250 Prezzee cash vouchers. For details on this prize opportunity CLICK HERE. You can create any dish you think best showcases your skills and best demonstrates your personality as a chef.

Video category winners will be notified by 5pm Monday 31st May 2021, with the top video of each category receiving a $250 Prezzee/Prezzy (AUD/NZ) vouchers for you to spend as you wish.

So long as you’ve completed the registration form and meet the entry requirements, you’ll get to cook-off against other chefs at the regional heats (between June – July) and will be notified within 1 week of your assigned regional or metro cook-off.

The top 12 winning chefs from round 2 across Australia and New Zealand will then go on to compete in Round 3: The Grand Final Cook-off to be held at Fine Food Australia (International Convention Centre in Sydney). Finalists need to be available from 4th – 9th September inclusive. Reasonable travel costs including accommodation will be provided. Note: Date/location is subject to change.

At the grand finals, one chef will take out the Nestlé Golden Chef of the Year title and be awarded an AUD$10,000 cash prize to support their culinary advancement.

*Important Information: Entry is for individuals who are AU or NZ residents working (current or recent) in the culinary industry or are a current culinary student & aged between 16 & under 25 on 30.12.21. Registration is open between March 29th – May 21st 2021. Round 1 qualifiers and Round 1 Video Category Winners notified by 5pm AEST 31 May 2021. Round 2 (The Regional and Metro Cook-offs) will take place between June-July 2021 and winners notified within 1 week of relevant Regional and Metro Cook-off date and will proceed to Round 3. Round 3 (the Grand Final Cook-off) will be held in Sydney between Sept 4th – 9th 2021 (date/location is subject to change) and winners notified on competition of round. For full entry requirements and prize details see full T&Cs at https://enter.nestle-goldenchefs.com.au/competition-info/terms-and-conditions. Promoter is Nestlé Australia Ltd.